THE PSNI has defended an International Women's Day initiative that asked female officers to nominate a male colleague who had supported them in their career.
More than 1,000 people commented on the event online, criticising the PSNI for turning a day intended to celebrate the achievements of women around the world into a platform to praise male police officers.
The force is currently 70 per cent male and a recent recruitment drive has focused on addressing religious, gender and ethnic balance.
Chief Superintendent Emma Bond, who is chair of the PSNI's Women in Policing Association, defended the initiative, saying: "As part of our plans for this year's International Women's Day (IWD) event, our association took the IWD universal theme of Each For Equal and invited our members to nominate male colleagues who have supported them in achieving gender parity.
"In previous years, we have used IWD to promote the positive contribution that females within our organisation have played in inspiring others.
"Recognising that gender equality is not a female-only issue, that it is everyone's responsibility, in line with this year's theme we took the decision to recognise male colleagues who have an important part to play.
"It is vitally important that our male colleagues play their part in empowering, supporting and being positive advocates for their female colleagues", she added.
